My sister, Winnie, was asking about our holiday traditions. It gave me some pause. I guess the things we consider traditions on Cullom are things we just naturally do, but particularly at this time of the year. There aren't any Advent calendars here.

For many years we had a dinner at the Berghoff. After it closed to the public, we did some dinners in the house. But these always seemed to be forced events. We've had some great dinners this year, unplanned but great feasts.

What I think we did that was different, though, was readings. This year we read Damon Runyon's “Little Miss Marker.” Jane said it was turned into a movie starring Shirley Temple. I seem to remember that too.

In previous holidays we've read from James Joyce Dubliners, “The Dead” is a great holiday piece with a lot of depth, as you'd expect from Joyce. The Dickens novel “A Christmas Carol” was popular around here for many years. It is also a time of the year when people have a lot of time off. We've done film marathons around the house.


Jane loves the hockey movies, “Youngblood,” “Slap Shot,” “Mystery, Alaska.” So we did that a few years ago. We added several movies to that group, “The Rocket,” “Slap Shot 3,” this year and “The Chiefs” last year.



Looking through this hockey stuff, it appears the only movie we don't have is Strange Brew. Gift idea?

Myself, I've always enjoyed adventure. Michael Pallin has done a number of series including “Around the World,” “Pole to Pole,” "Full Circle" and his new series on the Europe. These were great to watch over the holidays that included some time in the hospital.

There are more of his adventures on line, too, that we haven't seen. This much better stuff than Rick Steves. And, of course, dropping another hint for a gift idea.

There was also the great Michael Apted “Up” series. When the new Up is released, we bring ourselves up to speed on the various members of our generation who we've followed. And, then we discuss whether we are most like Tony or Susan...

As I think about it more, there was also the "Father Ted" year. I'm sure Jane and Ceili will remember other things we watched or read too.
This season Jane and I purchased the “Irish R.M.” series. We've finished about half the series already. If you're not familiar with it, it is the story of the final years of the Hiberno-English Aristocracy, before the first World War ended that style of life.

In any case, this goes all the way back through my marriage with Anna. Between reading to each other and settling in for a winter night to catch up on our films, we've managed to fill many long winters through the years.

I can never figure out whether the animals can talk to you on the midnight between the 23rd and the 24th or the midnight between the 24th and the 25th. Anyway, I missed the first date, I was sacked out. Another headache struck. There have been a string of them this fall.

I hope you enjoy our oak tree. It is the second year we've used it. We have an artificial tree. The tradition here was to decorate it until it fell over. Little did I realize I was dealing with the queen of tree decorating. Jane's December decorating turned into these forced marches. We had to finish the bloody tree. The fun of Christmas turned into I am tired and don't want to deal with it anymore as we tried to put up my numerous decorations, Jane's, her mom's, her aunts, her 3rd cousin (once removed).

I'm sorry, I know the Danielson's are reading this too. But it was way over blown. It was the result of all the decorations for several generations, on both sides, coming home to roost.

We'll return to a traditional tree again. But not this year.

I described this to my sister-in-law Sallie Z. as our conceptual tree. I think you see what I mean. It's just some slats that are crudely put together with the lights. I like it. It is perfect for a small city apartment. In addition, I think it reminded us of what was important about this holiday.

The storm that has been battering the US all week finally seems to be passing us. There's about a foot of snow in the yard. The electric snow shovel I purchased at the start of the season has died, already. A new one is sitting in the living room to take its place (perhaps I should wrap it?)

I called cousins in Ireland earlier in the week. Susan S. told me it was mild, with temperatures about eight C. I told her I'd trade her straight up, her eight C for our eight F. LOL. Sunday and Monday were about the worst of the storm. We've been hiding in the apartment. It got so bad, we had to make a food run on Wednesday, as the fridge and freezer were empty. With the holiday, Ceili coming in and more weather possible, that was a problem. So BIG food run on Wednesday.

On Monday Jane and I met at Wrigleyville with the manager of one of the rooftops to shoot pictures before the game next week. If you don't know what game, come back here next week.

It was one of the glorious winter days when there is NO cloud cover. The sky was bright blue and the shadows were sharp on the ground. Of course it was also seriously cold. We had to climb some scaffolding on their bleachers to shoot the best shot. From up there, about five stories up, the wind whipped across Wrigley Field. I was able to get the shots, but it was tough conditions. We'll put a skyline shot here when Jane has a moment.

We really need this story published somewhere besides the ChiTownDailyNews, so keep your fingers crossed. (It will be in the CTDN too). The fact is we're having problems with the kids who are running the PR departments at the Bhawks and the Wolves too. They've never worked professionally before, have no idea how stories are sold, and like to say NO. The result is our blogs are suffering, our readers are suffering and we're getting pissed off. Having some published material should help change things next season.

Still another contact with a long lost. Jim G. and Jenneine R. wrote a real nice card to us. I've missed them. It was a friendship that sort of suffered about the time Jane moved to Chicago. There were so many friendships from that time that have suffered. Writing to Jim and Jenneine, I described one aspect of what has changed as the elephant in the living room. It is one of the bad karma things that should have gone well that turned into a negative instead and now everyone becomes defensive discussing it. Hopefully there will be more friends coming forward and more elephants identified. This is one elephant I wouldn't mind killing.

I'm still looking for my college friend (I'm going to break one of the rules of the blog and put his full name here in hopes he Googles himself. Maybe he can find me?) Robert E Foster of the US Army Corp of Engineers, Eastern Illinois University and Cedar Lake, IN. (Those tags should help him find this easier).

Honest to god, I'm about to give up on this guy. He moved to Connecticut, married and disappeared. Bob, if you read this, leave a comment with your contact information. I approve all the comments, so it won't be read by your enemies, or whatever. LOL. We need to catch up. Jack and I have some great whiskey and stories for you. (I believe Jack has some great cigars too. LOL).

That would be a great Christmas gift. Preferably this year, but next year is okay too.

The strange new act of Googling your own name is humorous and disturbing too. When I do it a person in New York comes up who embroiders vestments for the clergy. And, he is well known in that area. Amazing. Jane's love of embroidering and my name. My pen name (Patrick Kissane) is basically owned by me, so that is pretty cool. But, I've got to work out the Lou Grant stuff. I don't want Lou around anymore. We're discussing how to let him go, you know, lay him off. LOL Another victim of the downturn in newspapers.

Oh Shakespeare, how would you deal with multiple personalities and identities today?

Anyway, Jane and I hope everyone reading is well. We wish you a Merry Christmas, unless you're in Ireland. Then we wish you a Happy Christmas. As well, a healthy, prosperous and happy New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Well, here we go again. A second cold this winter. Thanks Jane.

As the red head and I hunker down, again, for a sneezing, blowing, watery eye, dry lipped Sunday, I thought it might be nice to put together a sort of holiday letter to family or about family. I've never, ever done one of these things, so watch out.

The job hunt has changed directions. It would be a fool's errand to try to put together anything in the private sector at the moment. Besides which, the years of work seem unappreciated by the former employer. Going back to the drawing board makes some sense.

It is the one continuing worry here. Thankfully we are financially secure with unemployment, but that won't last forever. At some point in the process, before the Oregon trip, I discussed with Tim M of the Econ department at my undergrad school the idea of teaching workshops on the subject of creating business plans.

As I have time, I'll update the Linkedin profile so that it represents the new interest and discusses why this is a good idea for me. Tim explained that there was an even better idea, namely that four year colleges often hire people like me to teach courses as adjunct professors.

I can already hear those people who remember me from St. Peter Canisius saying “hey professor.” Yep, that was my nickname back when. I don't remember what caused that. I think it was an interest in science that was killed by a high school teacher. Shame on her.

It turns out there is a very small market for independent people writing business plans. That work usually is performed by a company's lawyers or accountants. However the inquiry did discover there was an interest among colleges in people who have business world experience, in working with undergrads. After lots of work with the grad school and the undergrad school, I began putting out resumes last week.


Things continued to melt down in the state this week. The arrest of his royal hindness on Monday being an obvious sign. It is hard to see how the State of Illinois can cleanup its act. Normal people are saying thank god for the US Attorney. The Governor's crimes have been known for years.

Why don't we just vote him out of office? I suppose that in retrospect, Judy Baar Topinka was the better candidate two years ago. I really don't remember how I voted. I suspect I voted for Topinka, but can't remember.

The GOP has simply disappeared locally. Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who is becoming the White House Chief of Staff, had a Republican opponent. But the man was handily defeated.

That's unusual. Blagojevich is a typical response to the dominance of the Democratic Party. He would be far more comfortable as a Republican. But, how can you get elected as a Republican? This isn't to say that all Republican's are crooked, but to say that his policies were more in line with the GOP, BTW.

So, the Democratic Party has people who really have Republican world views locally. (Fast Eddie Vrdolyak is another good example). How to get the party healthy enough to run under its own banner?

The scandal is causing all the rats to scurry for cover. Hopefully people will remember the scandal in two years and begin electing new blood. Look, Daley, Stroger, Lipinski, Madigan, Blagojevich (and Mell), Jackson. All of these current political family names willed their political power to their offspring. This is a terrible situation for democracy. Each of those names, BTW, Democratic.





I wanted to put some more pix up from the Oregon trip. They are on a slide show on the kitchen screens. I just love the pictures of Ceili, Ceili and Kaitlin together. Working with our friends Mike and Nancy, Jane got their slide show together a few weeks ago, it led to our finally getting our slide show together too.

All these great photos from years back are coming up. At one time Ceili took one of our first digital cameras out and shot pictures throughout the neighborhood. Lots of things I've never noticed.

Of course, I noted how much Ceili has grown into a beautiful woman. Adam, our neighbors son, is now in high school. Danny turned into a little jerk and thankfully moved away.

Between Anna's initial push and Jane's final push, the rear yard has been transformed. I'll take some credit for the hard scape ideas, thank you. There are great shots of our egg “hunts.” The old siding, the peeling yellow paint on the garage...

From time to time I meet Kim as she heads out to work in the morning. I kid her that the men in the building are thankful that the women are supporting them. I know it irritates Kim. And I love her for that. Brian reminded me that he moved into the building ten years ago October. I was digging through the garage, throwing out old papers and found his initial application for the apartment.

He's become a friend. His son and now his step-daughter, have grown here. And it has been wonderful.

While Kim has been freaked out that there are only two payrolls paying for everything. I think Brian and I, who both went through divorces while living here, have been through worse. Things will be okay.


Finally, no Florida trip for us this year. The story of why we have a house in Florida needn't be discussed here. For the first time in about five or six years we decided to use the place, and it won't work out. So, Christmas in Chicago again. Yea!

Our last visit there we managed to take in a night launch. Ate some great seafood... Our plans this time? Take in a launch and eat some great seafood. Progressive huh?